Slovenia Travel Forum

Dear VTers,

I need some help here. This December I would like to visit a couple of Christmas markets in Slovenia and Klagenfurt. I have already visited the markets at Alto Adige a couple of years ago and enjoyed myself and really got into the Christmas spirit. This year I am planning to land in Treviso Italy and hire a car and drive to Bled & Ljubljana and then to Klagenfurt.

Problem is that hired cars in Italy are not equipped with snow/winter tires. Ok,I can get snow chains but do you think that I have any difficulties driving in Slovenia with normal tires?

Are the Christmas markets in Slovenia and Klagenfurt worth visiting compared to Merano or Vipiteno?

Thanks in advance,
Ronnie

Hi,
if you have normal tyres you'll need a chain with with you so that in case of snow on the road you can put it on. If you're stopped by cops you're gonna be checked if you have them in car (between 15th November till 15th March is compulsory - either you have chains + normal tyre or winter tyre, in that case you don't need chains).
You should check also with slovenian car club for more information on traffic, they're very useful source of information and they have some english info on their site as well. Google AMZS.
In general driving in winter with normal tyres is the same everywhere with similar weather conditions and a lot of salt is used to be spread on the roads, just be careful anyways. I'd aviod going into hills on side roads. Highways and main roads should be fine. Buy Slovenian 'vignette' for highway before you start using them because they check really often and fines are high.

Christmas market in Ljubljana is quite small, but has nice atmosphere and good cooked wine which I recommend trying. Haven't been to Bled during that time so I cannot comment. Nice and small Christmas market is also in Maribor, also with good cooked wine, it's also smaller than in Ljubljana.

Hope i partially answered your question,v.

Regarding winter gear, as Picek told you, you have to have chains - foreign vehicles are not required to have minimum 3mm profile ridges. But in case of "Black ice" and light snowfall, it would be much easier if you had at least decent tires with 3mm profiles, so you don't have to put on the chains immediatelly - only if snowfall is serious and isn't melting on the road. Tell the rental agency about your travel plans and ask if they can provide adequately equipped vehicle. And even if they do, I'd suggest you check which type of chains the rental agency has given you, if they fit that specific car, and check if you know how to use them. We sometimes get serious snowfalls and if that happens, you won't be able to drive at all with "summer tires".

Ljubljana holiday market is lovely and includes lots of local crafts and delicacies. Alongside Ljubljanica river, there are numerous cafe bars and restaurants, most have gas heaters outside so people can enjoy the festive street atmosphere without having to go inside. There are also open-air concerts of top-quality performers on several locations, with different types of bands playing, choirs singing etc.

What I like the most about Ljubljana in December is that the city center illumination is designed by one artist, so it has a unified character and is really special. Some examples here:
http://www.ljubljana.si/si/zivljenje-v-ljubljani/v-srediscu/70261/detail.html

Have a great time!